Pressing device for belt loop material



F. GRECO PRESSING DEVICE FOR BELT LOOP MATERIAL 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJan. 28, 1954 IN V EN TOR. FRANK 62:00

Oct. 28, 1958 F. GRECQ I 2,857,692

PRESS-1N8 DEVICE FOR BELT LOOP MATERIAL Filed Jan. 28, 1954 4Sheets-Sheet 2 i 13. Go INVENTOR. j FQA/YK 62660 42- Half M 4 70RPM?Oct. 28, 1958 F. GRECO 2,857,692

PRESSING DEVICE FOR BELT LOOP MATERIAL Filed Jan. 28, 1954 4Sheets-Sheet 55 Oct. 28, 1958 v co 2,857,692

PRESSING' DEVICE FOR BELT LOOP MATERIAL Filed Jan. 28, 1954 4 Sheets-Shet 4 .W//////// T4. -15. 80 I v INVENTOR. FRANK Gkeco United StatesPatent 2,857,692 r PRESSING DEVICE For: BELT LOOP Frank Green,-Hashrouck Heights, N. J.

Application January 28, 1954, Serial No..406,74 1 7 Claims. (Cl. 38*15')This invention relates to a pressing device which has particularapplication to the problem of pressing belt loops after they have beenprepared by the blindstitch type? of sewing machine. While the device is-particlk larly important in this application it is not limited theretoand-can be used in' other applications.

Belt loops for trousers are conventionally prepared by doubling a pieceof fabric bringing thedoubled portions together at about the centerline. The loose ends are then sewn together by a blindstitch machine.This type of stitch causes the ends to be secured together but causes novisible stitch marks to show onthe upper side ofthe belt loop. Theconventional process thusproduces .a. long: strip of belt loop material.which is then cut into convenient lengths and sewn in place upon a pairof trousers. I 7

It has been found, however, that the strip of belt. loop material, as itleaves the machine, is in unpressedconditionand cannot be directlyapplied to the pair of trousers. It has therefore been common. practiceto press thebelt loop strip as it is taken from the machine and then,after pressing, to cut it into convenient lengths.

The conventional sequence of' steps, however, involves three separateoperations which, in these times of high labor costs, areunsatisfactory. V

The present invention permits a strip of belt loop material to bemanufactured and'pressed in one operation,

and, where the novel cutter of this invention is also used, to also cutthe strip of pressed belt loop material into the sizes required. Theoperation-is completely automatic and'can be performed with onlysemi-skilled labor.

Since the various fabrics of which belt loops are made have differenttemperatures at which they should be pressed the device is also providedwith temperature controlling means as will be subsequently explained.

Briefly stated the invention comprises a feed member, a plate memberprovided with an. opening therein adapted to emit steam, a heatingdevice adjacent to the plate member, and a presser member in operatingrelationship with the plate member. The invention may. also include acutter member spaced from the plate member and in operating relationshipwith the feed member.

In the preferred modification of this invention the heating device is inabutting relationship with the plate member and temperature controllingmeans are provided in operating relationship with the heating device. Asteam control valve is also provided in the preferred modification tocontrol the emission of steam through the opening in the plate member.

It is preferable to drive the feed member by means of the sewing machineto which the pressing device is secured so that positive action may beobtained.

The invention will be further described by reference to the accompanyingdrawings which are made a part of this specification.

Fig. l is a side view of the pressing device attached to a blindstitchsewing machine with the cuttingmechanism not shown.

- 2 Fig. 2 is a side-view of the form of the inventionrshown i Fig. 1:without the. cutting device. Fig. 3-is atop view ofthe. form of in FiFig: 4 is; a sectional view showing the operation of: the device. taken.along; lines. 4-4 of Fig. 2,

;Fig. is asectional view taken along lines 5'-5 of Bi 4. I iiigo isasectional view showing the plate andp resser members of theinven-tiontaken along lines 6 6 of R al-H Fig. 7 is a seetional view through theplate member showing the steam channels therein taken along hues 77 ofFig. 6. I

Fig. 8v is asectional view of the plate member andpresser member'showing the relationship thereof taken along Iines8 -$.offl? ig. 6.Fig, 9 is a sectional view showing the means that may he usedt'omovelthe presser member into and away from operating relationship withthe plate member taken along lines 9=-. -9=of Fig. 2...

. Fig.v 10' is a sectional view taken along lines 10--1 0 of'Fig. 9. i

, Fig, 11 a sectionalview showing theoperation of one ty'e arreea memberthat may be used in this invention taken along lines 11- 11 of Fig. 2.

'Fi'g'..1'2 is a detail view of the bottom of the plate member ofthisinvention showing the type of heating device 11 5i, may 5. 5 1,

Fig. 13 is a side detail view of the. invention showing the iriea'ns'that" may he used to operate the cutter. member ofv this'invention. I

Fig. 141s a side detail view of the forrnof the invention employing acutter showing the relationship f thecutter to the other parts of theinvention.

' Fig; 15 a detail. view of the invention showing. the timingdeviee thatmay he used to actuate the cutter.

} sewing machinell is adapted to form belt loop -12 by the conventional.blindstitch process. Belt loop 12 passes through openinglll inshieldmember 14 which is secured to plate rnember' 15. Plate member 15 is ofappreciable thickness and is provided with intercommunicating steamchannels 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20. Steam channel 20' is providedwithopenings 21 which communicate both with steam channel 20 and uppersurface 22 of plate member 15. Plate member 15 is also preferablyprovided with cut-out portion 23 and openings 21 communicate withcut-out portion 23. Belt loop 12 is adapted to fit into cui=out portion23.

Presser member 24- overlies plate member '15 and is adapted to producepressing action upon belt loop 12. Presser-member 24 is normally ept inoperating relationship with plate 15 by means of' springs 25 which aresupported upon screws 26. j I

In order to prevent damage to the belt loop passing between plate'member15" and presser member 24 presser member 24 is formed with ears 27 ateach end thereof. Steam passes through steam channels 16-20 from a steamproducing device of conventional type (not shown). The passage or thesteam into channels 16.20 and thence thrtilig'h openings 21 iscontrolledby, valve 28.. Valve28 operated by theidownward movements ofarm 29'which is seeuredto arm. 30 which in turn is secured to a foottreadle (not shown). Arm 31 bears spring 32 which causes arm 29 toreturn to its normal position when the pressureon the foot treadle isreleased. Adjusting screw 33 is. provided to; control the tensionofspring 32.

29is' pivo'tedabout support 34v and is held in place by screw/ 35. Adrain valve is located at the lowermost point or channels 16-20'.Cock-91 controls the opening and closing thereof. Valve 90 isnormallj'theinvention hown closed but is opened whenever it is desired to drainthe if condensed water from channels 16-20.

Feed roller 36 is driven by shaft 37 which in turn is secured to bevelgear 38. Gear 38 is secured to bevel gear 40 which in turn is securedto" shaft 39. Shaft 39 is secured to gear 41 which is driven by worm 42. Worm 42 is secured to shaft 43 which also bears pulley -44 Pulley 44,which is a drive roller, is driven by belt 45 which is driven by thesewing machine 11. Shaft 39also bears gear 46 which drives the cutterofthis invention as will be subsequently explained. "Shaft 39, gear 41,worm 42, and shaft 43 constitute a speed reducing device.

Feed roller 47 abuts feed roller 36 andbelt loop 12 passes betweenrollers 36 and 47. Roller 47 is secured to arm 48 which is pivotallymovable upwardly about pivot 49a. Arm 48 bears link 49 which issecuredwithin recess 50. Link 49 is also secured to link 51 which issecured to presser member 24. i

Presser member 24 and feed roller 47 aremoved out of operatingrelationship with plate 15 and feed roller 36 respectively by the upwardmovement of arm 48. Spring 52 is supported upon shaft 53 and its tensionis controlled by adjusting screw 54. Operating handle 55 raises andlowers arm 48.

Support 56 is also provided to hold belt loop 12 in place and cause itto flow smoothly'into a receptacle (not shown).

Plate member 15 is preferably formed with an additional cut-out portion57 at the underside thereof. Heating device 58, which is preferably anelectrical heating element, is disposed within cut-out portion 57.Heating element 58 is secured to a conventional thermostat 59 which ispreferably of the compound bar adjustable ,type. Handle 60 varies thespacing of the contacts of the compound bar within thermostat 59 andthus controls the temperature that the heating device may assume. Theheating element and thermostat are secured to a conventional power line(not shown).

The pressing device of this invention may also be equipped with a novelcutting device as shown in Figs. 13, 14 and 15. If this device is usedthe belt loops provided may be cut into the lengths desired in oneoperation. In this modification cutting table 61 is provided.Reciprocating cutting blade 62 abuts against cuttingtable 61 and cutsthe belt loop as it moves downwardly. Cutting blade 62 is secured toshaft 63 which in turn is secured to arm 64. Arm 64 is in turn securedto arm 65 which is secured to operating member 66 of solenoid coil 67.Switch 68 actuates solenoid coil 67. Swith 68 is actuated by contact 69which is moved into and out of engagement by cam roller 70. Cam roller70 is driven by drive gear 46 which is driven by shaft 39 as previouslyexplained. Drive gear 46 is changeable so that the speed of engagementof cam roller 70 with contact 69 can be controlled and thereby controlthe number of times that blade 62 moves downwardly. Since belt loop 12is moving at a constant rate the size of the belt loop produced can besimply controlled.

While the operation of this device has been made clear by the foregoingdescription a graphic illustration of the operation of this device,including the cutter, will now be given.

Sewing machine 11 is operated and forms a continuous belt loop by theblindstitch method. As the loop 12 moves from the machine arm 48 ismoved upwardly placing presser member 24 and feed roller 47 out ofoperating relationship with plate 15 and carrier roller 36. Prior to theoperation of sewing machine 11 drive gear 46 which engages cam gear 70and thus changes the period of reciprocation of cutter 62, has beenselected of a size and number of teeth adapted to produce the size ofbelt loop desired. In addition thermostat 59 has been set to the fabricof which the belt loop is composed so that the correct heatingtemperature of plate 15 is produced. I V t With arm 48 in its upwardposition belt loop 12 is placed between rollers 36 and 47 and plate 15and presser member 24. After this is done arm 48 is moved to its normaldownward position so that belt loop 12 is moved by the action of carrierrollers 36 and 47 and is pressed by presser member 24 bearing againstplate 15. Steam valve 28 is then actuated by the depression of arm 29.Steam then flows out of openings 21 and smooths out the irregularitiesin belt loop 12. Immediately, however, the heat'of plate 15, which hasbeen produced by heating element 58, dries the belt loop and removes thecon densed water from the belt loop. The belt loop is alsosimultaneously pressed by being passed between presser member 24 andplate member 15.

As the pressed belt loop leaves plate member 15 and presser member 24,and after it passes between carrier rollers 36 and 47 it passes overtable 61 and then comes in contact with cutter blade 62 Every timecutter blade 62 moves downwardly it cuts off a portion of belt loop 12.The reciprocating downwardly movement of blade 62 is controlled by gear46 which meshes with gear 70 and thus controls actuator 69 which opensand closes switch 68 actuating solenoid coil 67 and causing operatingmember 66 to move reciprocatingly. When switch 68 is open return springcauses shaft 66 to move to its open position. Thus, as shown, themachine carries out the intended purposes.

The foregoing specific embodiments of this invention as set forth in theforegoing specification and drawings are for illustrative purposes andfor purposes of example only. Various changes and modifications canobviously be'made within the spirit and scope of the invention and wouldoccur to those skilled in this art. The scope of the invention isdetermined from the appended claims.

I claim:

l/A pressing device comprising a feed means, a plate member ofappreciable thickness provided with a cutout portion in the uppersurface thereof longitudinally of'its length, said plate member beingalso formed with a steam channel therein, said plate member being alsoprovided with a plurality of openings communicating with said steamchannel and with said cut-out portion within said plate member so thatsteam may be emitted therethrough, said feed means being substantiallyaligned with the longitudinally extending cut-out portion; an electricalheating device adjacent said plate member, a presser member having aportion overlying said cut-out portion, and means adapted to move saidpresser member into and away from operating relationship with said platemember.

2. A pressing device for belt loop material comprising a feed means,adapted to transport material worked upon, a plate member of appreciablethickness forward of said feed means provided with a. steam channeltherein, said plate member being also provided with a plurality ofopenings communicating with said steam channel and the upper surface ofsaid plate member so that steam may be emitted therethrough, valve meansadapted to control the flow of steam into said steam channel; a heatingdevice adjacent said plate member, a presser member above said platemember, means adapted to move said presser member into and away fromoperating rela tionship with said plate member, and a cutter memberrearward of said feed means and in operating relationship with saidpresser member so that said material may be divided into proper sizedportions immediately after being pressed.

3. A pressing device for belt loop material comprising a feed means,adapted to transport material worked upon, a plate member of appreciablethickness forward of said feedmeans provided with a steam channeltherein, said plate member being also provided with a plurality ofopenings communicating with said steam channel and the upper surface ofsaid plate member so that steam may be emitted therethrough, said platemember being also provided with a cut-out portion upon the lower surfacethereof; a heating device within said cut-out portion of said platemember, temperature controlling means in operating relationship withsaid heating device, valve means adapted to control the fiow of steaminto said 'steam channelof said plate member; a presser member abovesaid plate member, means adapted to move said presser member into andaway from operating relationship with said plate member, a cutter memberrearward of said feed means in operating relationship with said pressermember, and timing means controlling the period of reciprocation of saidcutter member so that said material may be divided into proper sizedportions immediately after being worked upon,

4. A pressing device for belt loop material comprising a pair ofcooperating feed rollers adapted to transport said material, a platemember of appreciable thickness positioned forwardly of said feedrollers, said plate member being provided with a plurality of steamchannels therein, a cut'out portion upon the lower surface thereof, anda plurality of openings communicating with one of said steam channelsand the upper surface of said plate member so that steam may be emittedtherethrough; a heating device within said cut-out portion of said platemember, temperature controlling means in operating relationship withsaid heating device, valve means adapted to control the flow of steaminto said steam channels of said plate member; a presser member abovesaid plate member means adapted to move said presser member into andaway from operating relationship with said plate member said materialbeing disposed between said plate member and said presser member; acutter member rearward of said feed rollers and in operatingrelationship with said presser member, and timing means controlling theperiod of reciprocation of said cutter member so that said belt loopmaterial may be divided into proper sized portions immediately afterbeing pressed.

5. A pressing device comprising a pair of cooperating feed rollers, aplate member of appreciable thickness positioned forwardly of said feedrollers, said plate member being provided with a plurality ofinterconnected steam channels therein, a cut out portion upon the lowersurface thereof, and a plurality of openings communicating with one ofsaid steam channels and the upper surface of said plate member so thatsteam may be emitted therethrough; a heating device within said cutoutportion of said plate member, temperature controlling means in operatingrelationship with said heating device, valve means adapted to controlthe flow of steam into the steam channels of said plate member,additional valve means adapted to permit condensed water to be removedfrom said steam channels; a shield member at the forward portion of saidplate member, a presser member, and means adapted to move said pressermember into and away from operating relationship with said plate member.

6. A pressing device comprising a pair of cooperating feed rollers, aplate member of appreciable thickness positioned forwardly of said feedrollers, said plate member being provided with a plurality ofinterconnected steam channels therein, a cut-out portion upon the lowersurface thereof, and a plurality of openings communicating with one ofsaid steam channels and the upper surface of said plate member so thatsteam may be emitted therethrough; a heating device within said cutoutportion of said plate member, temperature controlling means in operatingrelationship with said heating device, a steam control valve membercontrolling the flow of steam into said steam channels, a drain valveadapted to remove condensed water from said steam channels, a pressermember, an arm member secured to said presser member and to one of saidfeed rollers adapted to be moved upwardly so that said presser membermay be moved into and away from operating relationship with said platemember, and a shield member at the forward portion of said plate member.I

7. A pressing device comprising a drive roller, a shaft secured to saiddrive roller, a speed reducing device secured to the other end of saidshaft, a pair of cooperating feed rollers, one of said feed rollersbeing actuated by said speed reducing device, a plate member ofappreciable thickness positioned forwardly of said feed rollers, saidplate member being provided with a plurality of interconnected steamchannels therein, a cut-out portion upon the upper surface thereof, acut-out portion upon the lower surface thereof, and a plurality ofopenings communicating with one of said steam channels and said cut-outportion upon the upper surface of said plate member so that steam may beemitted therethrough; a heating device within said cut-out portion uponthe lower surface of said plate member, temperature controlling means inoperating relationship with said heating device, a steam control valvemember controlling the flow of steam into said steam channels, a drainvalve adapted to remove condensed water from said steam channels, ashield member at the forward portion of said plate member, a pressermember, an arm member secured to one of said feed rollers and to saidpresser member adapted to be moved upwardly so that said feed rollersmay be moved into and away from operating relationship with each otherand said presser member may be moved into and away from operatingrelationship with said plate member, spring means normally keeping saidpresser member in operating relationship with said plate member, andadditional spring means normally keeping said arm member in downwardposition.

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